Is it possible?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Shouldn't be that big of a deal as long as you have the correct Manual and can get your hands on any special tools you might need. You will have to farm some stuff out but shouldn't be too bad. It would be a good idea to have access to Micrometers, a magnetic base dial indicator, a Venier Claiper etc. etc.
The key is to take your time and don't guess about anything. If you come up on a problem and can't come up with the solution put the job on hold until you can find someone to clarify it for you.
When you get to areas like measuring clearances or installing the cams be sure to read and reread and measure several times and right down you measurements.
A dried cow's udder filled with the left feet from 7 roosters from 7 different farms and tied at the top with a string made from the woven hairs of an Oklahoma possum and then hung from your toolbox can go a long way in insuring that you don't have too many problems as well.
Good luck.
The key is to take your time and don't guess about anything. If you come up on a problem and can't come up with the solution put the job on hold until you can find someone to clarify it for you.
When you get to areas like measuring clearances or installing the cams be sure to read and reread and measure several times and right down you measurements.
A dried cow's udder filled with the left feet from 7 roosters from 7 different farms and tied at the top with a string made from the woven hairs of an Oklahoma possum and then hung from your toolbox can go a long way in insuring that you don't have too many problems as well.
Good luck.
Last edited by IronAss; Jul 30, 2009 at 11:56 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Scrounge around, and find the PARTS Manual for what you're working on. They have exploded views, of most assys. Makes going BACK together WAY easier.
Be careful, when you are measuring for wear on a lot of the components. Harleys, peshally the older ones, have rather loose tolerances. As such, you can waste a bunch of $$, replacing things, that DO NOT need to be replaced. And hopefully you can locate someone who has tackled one or two, and they can help you determine, what is a critical dimension, and what can slide. IF this is NOT going to be a daily rider, you can let A LOT slide.
Also, when you have someone bore/hone the cylinders to fit the pistons, make sure you give them the rings. WAY easy for them, to fit the rings as they do the cylinders, which will save you the hassle. They can also do your reaming, wrist pin fitting, etc, at the same time. Those sorts of things.
And don't forget, we are here, 24/7, and there are lots of GOOD folx on here. And given the shear number, almost bet, someone has seen, or done, what you are up against, along the way.
The FACT that you came on here aksin', tells me, you are gonna do jus' fine, and gonna have FUN doing it. ONWARD and UPWARD!!!
Don't worry, if you screw sumtin up. Been wrenchin' since the 60's, STILL **** stuff up, occassionally. Jus' write it off as a SENIOR moment, redo, and fwd you march!!!
The LAST perfect guy, they hung on a slab of oak.
Be careful, when you are measuring for wear on a lot of the components. Harleys, peshally the older ones, have rather loose tolerances. As such, you can waste a bunch of $$, replacing things, that DO NOT need to be replaced. And hopefully you can locate someone who has tackled one or two, and they can help you determine, what is a critical dimension, and what can slide. IF this is NOT going to be a daily rider, you can let A LOT slide.
Also, when you have someone bore/hone the cylinders to fit the pistons, make sure you give them the rings. WAY easy for them, to fit the rings as they do the cylinders, which will save you the hassle. They can also do your reaming, wrist pin fitting, etc, at the same time. Those sorts of things.
And don't forget, we are here, 24/7, and there are lots of GOOD folx on here. And given the shear number, almost bet, someone has seen, or done, what you are up against, along the way.
The FACT that you came on here aksin', tells me, you are gonna do jus' fine, and gonna have FUN doing it. ONWARD and UPWARD!!!
Don't worry, if you screw sumtin up. Been wrenchin' since the 60's, STILL **** stuff up, occassionally. Jus' write it off as a SENIOR moment, redo, and fwd you march!!!
The LAST perfect guy, they hung on a slab of oak.
I'm thinking about doing a older FLH myself. GOOD LUCK & ENJOY.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: So Cal - High Desert
Here's something that helped me out. Get a box of heavy duty 'quart-sized' Ziploc baggies, a stack of 3x5 Index cards and a permanent marker. Take lots of photo's with a digital camera BEFORE you remove a part. Put all the screws, nuts or bolts from a particular assembly into each bag and use the index card to identify what and where it came from. Also, I put how MANY were in each bag and if necessary, drew a rough diagram of where they went (especially if they're different lengths, like a Chevy small-block water pump).
Put all the bags in an open box and you can clean them up later. The cards hold their shape (unlike post-its or paper) and can handle a certain amount of greasy fingered abuse. Like the others mentioned, get a factory service manual and research the heck out of what you're doing. Have fun!
Put all the bags in an open box and you can clean them up later. The cards hold their shape (unlike post-its or paper) and can handle a certain amount of greasy fingered abuse. Like the others mentioned, get a factory service manual and research the heck out of what you're doing. Have fun!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Slumped Over
My advice--STAY FOCUSED.
I've got a 1982 XLH that I've been working on for five years. Stripped it down to the frame, went through the motor, sandblasted and primed the frame and tins, and then saw something shiny that distracted me.
During that period, I lived on a boat and ran a boatyard, so I had the time and place. Life was good, and I was on a mission. Then I bought a house, and a new Nightrain, and a lawn mower, and a truck, and blah, blah, blah.
Somewhere along the way, it turned into a chore. Every now and then I work on a little piece of it, and then something else gets pushed to the front of the line. Don't get me wrong, I do all my maintenance on the Train, and enjoy doing it. But rebuilding an old beat-up XLH is just not as much fun as it was when I started.
The Sporty's not for sale, 'cause I'll finish it one day, just not tomorrow. Just wish time and money were'nt in such short supply.
STAY FOCUSED!!
I've got a 1982 XLH that I've been working on for five years. Stripped it down to the frame, went through the motor, sandblasted and primed the frame and tins, and then saw something shiny that distracted me.
During that period, I lived on a boat and ran a boatyard, so I had the time and place. Life was good, and I was on a mission. Then I bought a house, and a new Nightrain, and a lawn mower, and a truck, and blah, blah, blah.
Somewhere along the way, it turned into a chore. Every now and then I work on a little piece of it, and then something else gets pushed to the front of the line. Don't get me wrong, I do all my maintenance on the Train, and enjoy doing it. But rebuilding an old beat-up XLH is just not as much fun as it was when I started.
The Sporty's not for sale, 'cause I'll finish it one day, just not tomorrow. Just wish time and money were'nt in such short supply.
STAY FOCUSED!!
Last edited by SavannahBob; Aug 6, 2009 at 08:12 PM. Reason: Wife reminded me it's been FIVE years.
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